Stafford County students' shirts causes uproar on social media

STAFFORD, Va. - A picture posted on social media showing what two Stafford County high school students painted on their shirts for Spirit Day at Mountain View High School is sparking a firestorm.

“Me personally, I wasn't offended,” said Mountain View student Kamyah Ahn. “To me, it's just song lyrics and a lot of people were thinking of those quotes for the senior shirts. But I guess they are the ones who actually put it on.”

The phrase on the shirts featuring the n-word is derived from a hip-hop song featuring Drake and Soulja Boy.

Ahn said another student posted the snapshot on Instagram.

Michelle Bunn, a teacher at the school, said their staff was notified Thursday morning.

“I just got it through our emails,” she said.

A Stafford County Public Schools spokesperson said the teenagers wore the shirt on Friday for Spirit Day. The administration said it does not approve or condone the language implied in the photograph.

The administration said the incident was investigated and the appropriate actions were taken. But a spokesperson would not say what or if the students are facing any disciplinary action.

Mountain View High School's principal said there are plans in place to educate the entire student body about this type of behavior, provide counseling if needed for any student and to work with the entire community to ensure this type of action does not happen again.

Stafford County Public Schools released this statement regarding the photograph:

Stafford County Public Schools does not condone or approve of the type of language implied in the photograph of students from Mountain View High School. This incident has been investigated and appropriate actions have been taken.

Superintendent W. Bruce Benson stated: “Our current Strategic Plan indicates very clearly that in Stafford County Public Schools we believe in diversity and respect, and this incident is not reflective of those beliefs. I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with a number of students at Mountain View and this behavior is not representative of the students there. We would ask that all community members who have posted or shared this insensitive picture on any social media platform to please remove it.”

Dr. James Stemple, Principal of Mountain View High School shared, “As principal of the school I am truly sorry that this incident occurred at Mountain View. There are plans in place to educate the entire student body about this type of behavior, provide counseling if needed for any student, and to work with the entire community to ensure this type of action does not happen again.”